Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks avoid a repeat of Devon Witherspoon saga by signing top 2024 NFL Draft pick

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nicholas McGee | Last updated 5/3/24

Last year, the Seattle Seahawks did not get fifth overall pick Devon Witherspoon signed until the third day of training camp.

There will be no such holdout with their 2024 first-round pick after defensive tackle Byron Murphy II agreed to terms on his rookie contract.

The deal is a four-year, $16,083,122 fully guaranteed contract with a fifth-year option, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Holdouts over contracts for drafted players are largely a thing of the past because of the rookie wage scale that was first implemented in 2011.

The #Seahawks have agreed to terms with No. 16 overall pick Byron Murphy II on a four-year, $16,083,122 million fully guaranteed contract with a fifth-year option, per source.

First look at Murphy in uniform for rookie minicamp today:pic.twitter.com/NHpy3QTRIo
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 3, 2024

But Witherspoon reportedly had an issue with how his signing bonus was due to be paid out, leading to an unexpected saga that overshadowed the start of last year's camp.

There have been no such problems with Murphy, however, the former Texas defender signing his deal after taking part in his first practice at the Seahawks' rookie minicamp.

"I feel like I had a great day at practice, I feel like there's some things I need to work on, but I feel like I'm learning, still getting in the groove of things," Murphy said. "Overall, today I feel like I had a good day."

With the formality of his contract signing now completed, the Seahawks will hope there are plenty more good days ahead for their newest big investment on the defensive line.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: